Paul Sykes wants to make a Bulls centre spot his own in the forthcoming season.

Despite spending much of last term at stand-off, the England international has now targeted a return to the three-quarters – although he admits it will be far from easy.

Significant reinforcements have been added to the Bradford squad this winter and Sykes not only faces a scrap with familiar faces Michael Platt and Jason Crookes but also new arrivals Chev Walker and Patrick Ah Van for one of two starting places.

“I don’t really know where I’ll be playing at the moment because it’s early days, although I’d like to focus on one position,” said the 29-year-old utility man.

“I don’t mind playing anywhere but I do like playing in the centres, so I’ll just have to wait to see what Mick (Potter) says.

“We’re starting all over again now, so everything’s up for grabs. Like everyone else, I have to try and prove myself to be worthy of a regular spot in this year’s squad.”

Sykes actually started last season at centre but found himself moved to the halves to accommodate Brett Kearney’s shift from stand-off to full back.

He initially formed a solid partnership with Matt Orford but when the Aussie scrum half suffered a season-ending shoulder injury midway through the campaign, Sykes suffered more than most.

Forced to play a more dominant role in guiding his team around the pitch, while effectively still learning his trade in the position, form dipped as the losses mounted.

“It was tough last year but we’ve just got to put that behind us now,” said Sykes.

“The changes that have been made this winter have lifted everyone. A lot of players have come in and nobody’s position is safe at the moment. Everyone’s got a clean slate and it’s going to be tough because we’re all competing for places.

“It’ll keep us on our toes, both in training and in the games, and we need that. If you don’t perform I’m sure Mick will take you straight out – and rightly so.”

Despite the trials and tribulations of the club campaign, Sykes was handed a call-up to England’s train-on squad for the autumn Four Nations competition.

But despite a lack of options in the three-quarters, he was fielded at No 6 in the Garry Purdham Memorial match against Cumbria and eventually missed the cut for the final squad.

“I wasn’t really disappointed because I think it’ll probably do me good for this year to get a full pre-season in with the Bulls,” said Sykes.

“I was half expecting not to get in there anyway because of the position I’d been playing. Even though I can play centre, I’d not been playing there all season, just a handful of games, and there were no half-backs so I was put in there.

“It’ll help me out in the long run and I’m concentrating on getting a good season in at Bradford.”